We are renovating our house and we are redoing our 3 way fireplace to make it look more modern (see picture).

The finish on the fireplac (picture) seems to be painted drywall; however, drywall is considered a combustible material and by code I cannot have a combustable material near the fireplace so I’m wondeing if anyone knows what kind of non combustle material I could use so that i can paint the surround with fire retardant / heat resistant paint.

Or if anyone has an idea of a finish (that is not marble - I got a quote and it was almost $9k! And I don’t want to spend that kind of money - I also got a quote for quartz but I was told that quartz will turn yellow with the heat and that caesarstone will not guarantee their product).

I would totally appreciate any information or ideas.

Thank you!